In traditional Chinese mythology the Monkey God can be seen in many traditional settings as a talisman of protection – or more playfully a rebellious skeleton as embroidered by maharishi.

In an era of escalating surveillance by government agencies and corporations, Maharishi seek deep cover and look for inspiration in the way of the ninja – the original masters of stealth. In Maharishi’s interpretation, the function of these garments is changed from one of combat preparedness, to 21st century utility, with cuts and detailing specifically suited to the needs of the international traveller   The disruptive pattern, ‘DPM: MAHSAT Europe’ has been developed to represent satellite display imagery and is printed in bright green and red on a black base. Integrated within the design is a pointillist version of the Bonsai Forest house camouflage pattern – its natural and organic shapes infilled with a dotted pattern recalling the techniques of artists Georges Seurat and Roy Lichtenstein. This 21st century pointillism has been designed to disrupt video surveillance systems.   The print is used throughout the collection but can be seen here on a few highlighted styles. A hooded visor sweat in organic cotton features an integrated barbouta hood with adjustable zip closure and Italian 2 ply nylon water resistant panels, as well as internal Swiss coolmesh hand cuffs and thumbholes; again referencing the ninja.

Maharishi’s trademark Bonsai Forest camouflage pattern is reimagined in a partially disintegrated style, it’s natural and organic shapes infilled with a dotted pattern recalling the pointillist techniques of artists Georges Seurat and Roy Lichtenstein. This 21st century pointillism has been designed to disrupt video surveillance systems.

The Autumn Winter 14 season sees the release of the much anticipated collaboration between London’s MHI and Los Angeles’ Undefeated.A key component of this capsule collection is the “DPM: Disruptive Court” camouflage pattern developed by MHI. The pattern is based on the famous Tigerstripe camouflage originally used by South Vietnamese forces, and later adopted by the U.S. Its success in the field has led to a proliferation of variants worn by armed forces across the globe, as well as being readily absorbed by popular culture and fashion.

DPM: Pixel Bonsai Forest includes the natural forms always present in Maharishi’s house camouflage pattern, but infiltrates them with pixels of different sizes, referring to those which make up the screens to which we direct so much of our time and attention.Through the graphic embellishments of the collection, camouflage and mimicry in the natural and digital environments are explored. Biological mimicry is the form of deception where a species takes on the appearance of another, or of its surroundings, such as caterpillars that resemble twigs, bark or leaves.In the digital world, new technologies are often explained by illustrations of their real-world counterparts, such as the ‘desktop’ displays of most operating systems. This design practice is known as skeuomorphism. As we grow more accustomed to a life integrated with digital technology, these comparisons become less relevant, and skeuomorphs begin their decline.Maharishi continues to examine the semiotics of camouflage in contemporary society – underpinned by the brand’s philosophy to reclaim it from its military associations and reinforce its roots in nature, natural history and art.

Maharishi traditionally create a seasonal disruptive pattern within each collection, this Spring Summer the house camo Bonsai Forest is infiltrated by a textural photographic moon surface within the pre-existing heavenly cloud shapes, from which magical bonsai trees grow, now aided by the moon’s bio-dynamic forces. These elements reinforce the concept that camouflage has its roots in nature, natural history and art rather than the military; a concept that Blechman spent nearly a decade researching before publishing his findings in his book DPM: Disruptive Pattern Material. This DPM 10th anniversary pattern is entitled DPM: Lunar Bonsai and is available in grey Urban and darker black Night colourways, hand screen printed onto organic wovens and knitted cottons as well as digitally printed on fine pashmina shawls. The lunar imagery is a reference to the collection theme which explores the culture of the Pacifist Prepper, this season with a focus on the Lunar Effect. In essence bio-dynamic farming considers the energy of the water and position of the moon and achieves a 30% greater yield than standard organic farming, a useful technique for the totally self sufficient Prepper. The position of the moon and other planets has a enormous electro magnetic effect on the Earth, as well as its plants, plant growth and people’s emotional states.

MHI’s latest seasonal camouflage pattern is DPM: English Oak and is MHI’s bold graphic take on maharishi’s AW13 DPM: English Oak & Berry a photo real rendition of an English Oak forest infused with bright red edible berries, referencing the hi visibility colours included in many hunting patterns. Several US states outlawed non hi-vis camo for hunting as a result of so many hunting accidents (approx 1000 a year in the US, including 100 fatalities) where hunters successfully hide from fellow hunters and get caught in the cross fire! With so much of the prey being colour blind, the orange and hi-vis layer in the patterns is only visible to humans. Maharishi and it’s diffusion label MHI aim to convey a strong anti-war sentiment through its use of camouflage – reclaiming its symbolic value away from war, back to its roots in nature and development by artists and to highlight objections to continued 21st Century warfare. To further that message Maharishi’s founder and creative director Hardy Blechman created DPM – Disruptive Pattern Material: An Encyclopedia of Camouflage. DPM charts the history of camouflage totalling 944 pages, from its roots in the natural world to its adoption by the military through to its proliferation in areas of modern culture such as art, fashion and music.

Public Exhibition opens: Friday 19 Oct 2007 The DPMHI Gallery in London is proud to announce the launch of a new exhibition of works by Mode 2. Mode 2 is simply one of the most influential graffiti artistsof his generation. From his time as a founder member of the Chrome Angelz, one of Europe’s earliest serious graffiti crews, through to the years he spent in Paris as part of 93 NTM, he has been a more than worthy ambassador, exponent and leading light of his chosen artform. Over the course of more than 20 years his work has constantly evolved, tackling more and more complex subject matter in new and varied media, increasing his reputation throughout the wider art world, whilst all the time retaining his instantly recognisable style. “Party & Bullshit” is a reflection of what a good part of my life has been about, and sometimes still is; whether it be from watching b-boys getting down on the jams of back then, watching the ladies doing their thing too, getting sweaty with Mitch at Co-op on a sunday night, or hanging around in the Hoxton Square afterwards... even the long train or night bus ride home... The flip side to the partying is the reality of raising a child in an uncertain world, where environmental and geopolitical issues seem to point towards an ever more difficult future for all of us...”

Maharishi collaborated with Marc Newson and Samsonite to create patterned versions of the travel bags designed by Marc Newson

Warhol’s 1987 Camouflage Series, in original scales and colourways, form the basis for 5 of the pop patterns whilst the 6th is a posthumous collaboration resulting in a Warholian colourway of DPM: Bonsai Forest. Warhol’s 1987 works were directly based on the US Army Woodland pattern that he had seen in the newspaper so often.

Bowers and Wilkins, UK’s premier speaker manufacturer, invited DPM to create their own version of the DPM: 601 for limited distribution

Colette launched PSP Fashion on 1 October 2005 to celebrate the release of the Sony PSP and invited designs from adidas, Burberry Prorsum, Chanel, Goyard, Eley Kishimoto, Pucci, Fendi, Jeremy Scott, Maharishi and Miu Miu.